In preperation for this inaugural gardening year we soil tested all of the potential sites. I took 10 soil samples from the old tennis court area at Webb Park.  The soil was dried, mixed up and about a cup of it was sent to UMASS for a soil test via Ohio State University Extension Agent Morgan Taggart.  The following is a transcription of the printed report Amy received with the other site's soil test results.

Webb Soil Analysis Report

05/07/08

Soil and Plant Tissue Testing Lab

University of Massachusetts

Lab#  S080505-215

Bag#  77462 Sample ID: WB Webb

Soil Weight: 4.94 g/5cc

Crop: Veg & Flowers

SOIL PH ADJUSTMENT:

Reported pH (7.8) is higher than desired. Do not apply limestone, wood ash, or any other amendment that might raise soil pH further. To lower H: sulfur, aluminum sulfate, iron sulfate, or acidic organic matter may be effective. The required quantities of these materials will vary according to the nature of the alkalinity of your soil.

FERTILIZER:

Your soil contains sufficient levels of potassium (145ppm). You may apply the standard recommendations below, or you may provide sufficient nitrogen and phosphorus by using alternate sources to provide about ¼ lb nitrogen and about ½ lb phosphorus per 100 sq ft.

Vegetables: Apply 3-4 lbs 5-10-5 per 100 sq feet in early spring. Because the phosphorus level is low, apply ½ lb 0-46-0 per 100 sq ft, or apply the recommended organic source of phosphorus.

Avoid over fertilizing which can cause plant toxicity and can contribute to insect and disease problems.

Soil pH: 7.8 High

Nitrogen (N): 8ppm Low

Phosphorus (P) / 3ppm Low

Potassium (K) / 145ppm High

Calcium (Ca) / 5907ppm Very High

Lead (Pb) / 2ppm Low

Magnesium (Mg) 377ppm Very High

Cadmium (Cd) 0.1ppm

Nickel (NI) 0.2ppm

Chromium (CR) 0.1ppm

Micronutrient Levels All Normal

Percent Base Saturation K=1.2 Mg=9.4 Ca=89.6

Extractable Aluminum: 10ppm (Soil range: 10-250ppm)

Micronutrient / PPM / Soil Range

Boron (B) / 1.8 / 0.1-2.0

Manganese (Mn) / 23.0 / 3-20

Zinc (Zn) / 1.9 / 0.1-70

Copper (Cu) / .7 / .3-8.0

Iron (Fe) / 5.4 / 1.0-40

Sulfur (S) / 70.9 / 1.0-40